Medicine: when is it safe to save?

We all love a good deal on the high street, but why are we so reluctant to save when it comes to our health? From eye drops to headache tablets, we compare brands and decide whether it's best to splurge or save.

We all love a good deal on the high street, but why are we so reluctant to save when it comes to our health? From eye drops to headache tablets, we compare brands and decide whether it's best to splurge or save.

We all love a bargain, don't we? But that's not always the case when it comes to medicines.

Check your bathroom cabinet and you'll probably find it's packed full of famous brand names - Nurofen, Lemsip, Benylin, all the favourites we know and trust.

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But you could dramatically reduce your pharmacy bill by choosing cheaper, and often equivalent, products.

'While we see cheap clothes as a bargain, we don't take the same view of medicines in this country,' says Alliance Pharmacy pharmacist manager Bobby Mehta.

'We tend to think of cheaper medicines as inferior or lacking in quality. But you can make some real savings by opting for generic, or ownname, versions of medicines.

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'However, it's important always to check the main active ingredients, as some brand names may have an extra ingredient that could make the product more effective.

'Ask your pharmacist for impartial advice.'

Ibuprofen

Nurofen tablets 200mg (16), £1.59

Tesco Ibuprofen 200mg (16), 37p

Since the patent was removed from ibuprofen, many pharmacies and supermarkets now produce their own brands, and often at a fraction of the cost of the main brand, Nurofen.

'To you and I that simply means that they must contain what they say they contain.

'Brand-name drugs are bound to be more expensive because the drugs companies have to recoup their development costs, but when a drug’s patent expires, you can buy the cheaper, generic variety safe in the knowledge that it will be just as effective.'

So in this case, you can safely save money by buying the Tesco version.

Eye drops

Optrex Red Eyes Eye Drops (10ml), £3.99

Boots Reviving Eye Drops (10ml), £2.99

There are eye drops to brighten, whiten, soothe and revive, and it can all be very confusing.

'Go for the drops that do exactly what you want them to,' says Boots pharmacist Jessie Mistry.

'In this case, the Optrex drops will tackle redness with naphazoline hydrochloride and they'll soothe using distilled witchhazel.

'The Boots product will do exactly what it says, which is revive tired or gritty eyes using distilled water and essential salts.

'There is more of an active ingredient in the Optrex drops here, so it's worth paying the extra if you have redness and irritation.'

Indigestion relief

Zantac 75 Relief Tablets (12), £2.99

Sainsbury's Indigestion Relief Tablets (12), £1.49

Indigestion tablets are a classic case of brand loyalty, says Mehta.

'Many people don't realise the active ingredient in a lot of indigestion remedies is ranitidine, they only know the name Zantac. But these tablets contain the same acive ingredient (75mg ranitidine).

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'If you get indigestion regularly, you'd make a big saving by going for the cheaper versions. And they do the same job.

'These are small tablets you swallow, so, unlike many indigestion remedies, there's no unpleasant texture or taste. Often, when swallowing a tablet, the shape makes a difference to some people – but both of these are small.'

Diarrhoea medicine

Imodium Plus Caplets (6), £3.75

Diareze Diarrhoea Relief (6), £2.39

Diarrhoea medicines contain the active ingredient loperamide hydrochloride, which will help stop diarrhoea, but some ingredients may also help other symptoms.

'Imodium Plus also contains simeticone, which helps to relieve the bloatedness and wind you often get with an upset stomach,' says Mehta.

'You won't always need the extra ingredient, but when you do, it's worth spending a bit extra for that added symptom relief.'

Insect repellent

Jungle Formula Extra Strength Body Spray (100ml), £6.99

Boots Repel Extra Strength Insect Repellent Spray (125ml), £6.59

When buying an insect repellent, you want it to be as effective as possible.

The active ingredient to look out for is DEET, a compound found in many products in different strengths.

'Both of the examples above contain 50 per cent DEET, so they'll provide the same protection,' says Mehta.

'One of the big concerns with insect repellent is the smell and, unfortunately, DEET doesn't smell great. But it's the most effective repellent against mosquitoes and other flying insects.'

'The primary active ingredient is 100mg guaiphensin. But Benylin also contains levomenthol, which further helps the breakdown of phlegm and helps relieve tightness and congestion in your chest.

'The Benylin may be more effective in some cases, due to the extra ingredient, so in this case it may be worth spending a bit more if you’re desperate to relieve a nasty cough.'

Antihistamine

Clarityn Allergy Tablets (7), £2.79

Tesco Non-Drowsy Hayfever & Allergy Relief Tablets (7), 69p

Antihistamines can relieve the misery of hay fever or allergies, but it's important to check for side effects, such as drowsiness.

'There are different antihistamine drugs, but both of these products contain 10mg loratadine, one of the most common, which makes them comparable. They do the same job,' says Mehta.

'Don't let simple packaging put you off. Cheap medicines can make people suspicious, but you might be getting a bargain.'

Decongestant

Vicks Sinex Decongestant Capsules (16), £3.99

Boots Sinus Dual Relief Capsules (16), £1.54

Many decongestants contain different formulations to help ease a blocked nose and catarrh.

'While these products have the same active ingredients, they're different strengths,' says Mistry.

'The active ingredients are paracetamol and phenylephrine hydrochloride, a decongestant.

'The Vicks product contains 500mg of paracetamol and the Boots product has 300mg.

'The Vicks product also contains more phenylephrine hydrochloride than the Boots one, so it's stronger. In this case it's probably worth spending more if your condition is fairly serious.

'If you only have mild discomfort, the cheaper version will work effectively.'

Paracetamol

Anadin Paracetamol 500mg (16), £2.09

Tesco Paracetamol 500mg (16), 15p

In a similar way to ibuprofen, as paracetamol is no longer under patent, there are now many different paracetamol brands.

All drugs sold in the UK undergo rigorous testing and licensing procedures through the Medicines And Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), so you know the drugs on sale at your local chemist or supermarket are safe and effective.

'In this example, the active ingredient is paracetamol, the strength is the same and there are no other active ingredients, so own-brands are often great bargains,' says Mehta.

But, he warns, some may be combined with codeine, to make them more potent painkillers.

'You should always check the dose and the ingredients of a product before buying a brand you aren't familiar with,' says Mehta.

The materials in this web site are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor. The web site does not have answers to all problems. Answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone. If you notice medical symptoms or feel ill, you should consult your doctor - for further information see our Terms and conditions.

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